Famous Women Speak Out!

Our media moguls have done a fantastic job at completely mauling the self-esteem and confidence of women. They have taken our true identities away and replaced them with "model" images of who we are seen to be, and who we should be. Well, unfortunately Mr. Media, we cannot all be this thing that you want us to be. Nor do we all want to be this thing that you want us to be. Sure, some girls and women do, because they have been brainwashed, just like everyone in Orwell's 1984. But this isn't 1984 (at least not yet)... so what about some anti-advertising messages?!

Fortunately enough, there have been some voices, who are heard and listened to, who have taken a stand against the way the media portrays girls and women, and influences them (us) to be. These voices are people who already have a torch in their hands... people who have become successful and are able to speak up. It is one if I do something to take a stand against this stereotypical woman that the media portrays, but it is a whole other effect if a famous person does something.

Take a look at the magazine industry. In Wolf's essay "Culture", she talks all about how the magazine industry has effected women, and caused a major blow to women's self-esteem. Women read magazines that are constantly reinforcing that they do not have the best clothes, the sleekest hair, the nicest bodies, or even the good skills in bed. They try and "teach" women how to be a stylish little vixen, while the women who are reading feel completely inadequate and incapable of achieving this image. Jamie Lee Curtis is one woman who spoke against this. She decided to do a photoshoot with More Magazine without any makeup or airbrushing... completely skimmed down to a sports bra and spandex shorts. The article in the magazine starts out with, "Jamie Lee Curtis wants you to know the difference between celebrity illusion and all-too-real life." THANK YOU JAMIE LEE! Finally, a woman not afraid to show other women that we are OKAY, that even though she is famous and constantly glammed up, she is just like us, flaws and all! Who knew?! She felt she was perpetuating this fraudulent image of herself, and wanted to clear things up - wanted to empower other 40 years old women just like her.

So who else has done something to speak out against the perils that girls and women face in today's world?

TLC wrote a smash hit in the 90's called "Unpretty". It was written in 1999 and became the group's fourth #1 hit on the Billboard 100. "Unpretty" became an anthem for girls all around the country, and even world, who were all struggling with false concepts of beauty and dealing with loss of self-esteem. The song was derived from a poem that T-Boz had written, and they turned it into a nationwide phenomenon of empowerment and regained self-esteem. Unfortunately, crazes don't last long, and we might be right back where we started... but I give them so much credit for the message they sent out. The music video is great, and I even remember loving this as a younger version of myself.

TLC - Unpretty
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It is through these stars (not the kind in the sky) that girls and women everywhere have been able to feel that it is not just them. That the people who are actually featured in the limelight and the glam world feel the same was as ordinary people. And that is comforting and important for girls and women affected by the media to know. By speaking out against the concept of "beauty" and what is "right" for a woman to appear as, it gives others more confidence and assurance that they are OKAY and beautiful in their own way!